Frame for rattan furniture



April 9, 1963 WONG KAM WAH 3,

FRAME FOR RATTAN FURNITURE Filed March 3, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V ENTOR.

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United States Patent 3,084,897 FRAME FQR RATTAN FURNITURE Wong Kain Wah,Kowloon, Hong Kong, assignor of onehalf to Wong Click Wall, Kowloon,Hong Kong Filed Mar. 3, 1969, Ser. No. 12,573 Claims priority,application Great Britain Apr. 22, 1959 13 Qlairns. (Cl. 24844t)) Thisinvention relates to articles of rattan furniture of the type having apart substantially horizontally disposed, for example, a chair seat ortable top, which may be either fixed permanently to the main frameworkof the article, or may be removably attached thereto.

An inherent characteristic of rattan furniture previously proposed hasbeen the large number of bracing and other struts which have beenrequired, in order to ensure that sufiicient rigidity is given to thefinished article. This is so that strain imposed upon the article duringuse will not distort its shape. The nature of these articles,necessitating the provision of bracing struts, has caused manydisadvantages. For example, when these articles are stacked fordispatch, they are normally nested together to take up the minimum spacepossible, and hithereto, these bracing struts have formed an effectivebar against the close nesting of the articles. This is particularlyrelevant when it is remembered that the cost of transportation, andparticularly in respect of ocean freight, is assessed by bulk and not byweight. Consequently, the closer together the articles can be nested,the less will be the cost of transportation of a given number ofarticles. Again, in order to achieve a rigid structure for the articles,a considerable number of bracing struts must be employed with consequentexcessive use of materials in the manufacture of the articles, and timeand labour costs in their production.

Also, during transpoflation of stacked articles, it is often the casethat the bracing struts become broken with consequent defectiveness inthe article on reaching its destination. These broken bracing struts maycause further damage to other articles in the stack by piercing thewoven parts of these further articles. The woven parts of rattanarticles, once broken, are extremely ditficult to repair, and quiteoften the article has to be disassembled, at least in part, so as toreplace the broken area.

It is the main object of this invention to provide articles of rattanfurniture which overcome the above disadvantages, and at the same timeretain the pleasant appearance of rattan furniture.

According to the persent invention there is provided an article ofrattan furniture of the type specified, in which the main framework ofthe article includes a rigid frame, preferably metallic, about which thearticle is built, said frame serving as a support thus minimising thenumber of cross bracing struts and similar bracing means. Saidsubstantially horizontally disposed part may include a further frame,preferably metallic about which said part is built, both said framesbeing interengageable and serving as supports for the article.

It will thus be appreciated that by the use of rigid frames, the numberof bracing struts is minimised, and in particular the main bracing strutor struts which connect the legs of the article, may be dispensed with,and consequently closer nesting may be achieved of the articles whenthey are arranged in stacked relation for transportation. Also, becausesaid horizontally disposed part is strengthened it may be used alone asa low seat.

'In order to carry the invention into effect, several embodimentsthereof will now be described by way of exam ple only and with referenceto the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a frame constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a modified frame together with an associatedinter-engageable further frame;

FIG. 3 is a modification of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a further embodiment according to the invention showing twointer-engageable frames;

FIG. 5 shows an article of rattan furniture constructed according to theinvention, having one of the frames shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a further part of the article of rattan furniture shown inFIG. 5, having the other frame as part thereof as shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 shows a frame for a further article of rattan furniture accordingto the invention; and

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a projection shown in FIG. 7.

Referring first to FIG. 1 which is designed essentially forincorporation in the building of a rattan table or stool, .a rigid frame1, preferably of cast iron or other metal, although rigid plasticsmaterial may be employed, com prises a rod 2 bent in the form of asquare and having welded, or otherwise afiixed thereto, fastening means3 arranged at each corner of the square. These fastening means 3 aresupported by struts 4 Welded thereto and also Welded to the rod 2. T hefastening means 3 are also provided with a number of apertures 5 throughwhich screws or nails may be inserted into the rattan or woodenframework of the article. Due to the channel formation of thesefastening means 3 they will lie in close proximity to the legs of thearticle so that the binding material may be Wrapped round the fasteningmeans in the formation of the article.

The rigid frame 1 is fixed permanently to the main rattan or woodenframework of the article, and this mini mises the number of crossbracing struts and similar bracing means which would otherwise have tobe employed, in order that the article would have sufiicient rigidity towithstand the strains imposed upon it during use.

FIG. 2 shows a further embodiment which is particularly useful in theconstruction of rattan chairs. and comprises a rigid frame 1 and afurther frame 6. Frame .1 is for inclusion as part of the main rattan orwooden framework of the chair, and will lie substantially horizontal.Frame '6 is for inclusion as part of the seat of the chair and againwill lie substantially horizontal. It will be seen that frame 1 is insubstantially the same form as the frame shown in FIG. 1, althoughthetwo side members 7 and 8 taper towards each other as they approachthe back of the chair. The frame 1 is provided with four fastening means3 having holes 5 for attachment by screws or nails to the main rattan orwooden framework of the article.

Further frame '6 is substantially rectangular in form, and to achievethe inter-engagement between the two frames is provided with catchmembers 9 and which resiliently engage the front bar 1-1 of frame 1.These catch members 9 and 10 are vertically disposed and an abutment 12is provided at the other end of frame 6 in the form of an L-shapedmember which engages the rear bar '13 of frame 1. This abutment 12 may,however, be in the form of a channel-shaped member for engagement withbar 13. The frame 6 forms part of the horizontally disposed part of thearticle, and this attachment in its inclusion as part of the seat willbe described later in respect of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 6.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings is a minor modificationfrom that shown in FIG. 2, and again comprises two frames '1 and 6, theformer for attachment to the main framework of the article, and thelatter for attachment to the horizontally disposed seat part.Inter-engagement is achieved in the same manner as that described forFIG. 2 by the provision of catch means 9 and 10 and abutment 12. In thisembodiment, however, the further frame 6 is tapered towards its rearpart, this taper being equal to the taper of frame 1.

Referring now to FIG. 4 which shows a further modification, there isagain provided two frames 1 and 6. However, in this embodimentinter-engagement between these two frames 1 and6 is achieved byproviding the latter with projections 14 and 15 which engage in slotsformed by adjacent member 16, and member 1-7 of frame 1. Thisinter-engagement allows relative sliding movement between the two frames1 and 6, the two members 16 and 17 of frame 1 being connected togethernear the front and rear parts of the frame.

FIGS. and 6 show the manner in which the two frames 1 and 6 are includedin the main rattan or wooden framework, and also the horizontal disposedseat part of the rattan chair. It will be seen from FIG. 5 that theattachment means 3 of frame 1 are surrounded by the binding of the chairthese parts having previously been fixed to the chair legs by screws ornails. The slots formed by adjacent members 16 and 17 are substantiallyhorizontal and are engaged by projections 14 and 15 of the seat portion.FIG. 6 shows how the frame 6 forms part of the seat and the manner inwhich projections '14 and 15 are disposed on the underside of the seatto engage within the slots formed by members .16 and '17.

FIG. 7 shows a metallic or other frame 1 for incorporation in the mainframework of a rattan settee and includes parallel rods 18 and 19 whichform a front support and parallel rods 12%) and 21 which form a rearsupport. Fastening means 3 are provided as before having apertures 5the'rethrough for fixing screws or nails.

Welded or otherwise affixed to the front support is a further fasteningmeans 22 having apertures 13 said means being supported by struts 23also welded to the front support. Also, welded or otherwise affixed tothe rear support is a further fastening means 24 again having apertures32.

The front and rear supports are joined by side supports 25 and 26 whichare welded together at their centre portions and to plates 27. Eachplate 27 has an aperture 28 therethrough for reception of a projection29, shown more particularly in FIG. 8. As will be seen from FIG. 8projection 29 consists of a shank 30 bent to form a hook and a collar 31for retaining the projection within the aperture 28. The hook partengages the seat portion of the settee and holds it detachably inposition.

It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to theembodiments hereinbefore described, but may be modified as desiredwithin the scope of the appended claims. i

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. In rattan furniture construction, the improvement which comprises ahorizontally disposed rigid main supporting frame about which thefurniture is constructed, said rigid frame comprising a thin, narrowmetal rod bent to define an essentially four-sided form, and verticallydisposed channel fastening members welded to said rod outside thecorners of said form to engage about the legs of said furniture, andinclined bracing struts welded at one end to each said channel fasteningmember and at their opposite ends to the metal rod, said channelfastening members having spaced apertures through which the legs can besecured to said fastening members.

2. I11 rattan furniture construction, the improvement which comprises ahorizontally disposed rigid main supporting frame about which thefurniture is constructed, said rigid frame consisting of a horizontallyrelated narrow metal rod structure arranged to define a trapezoid thetwo non-parallel sides ofwhich are convergingly disposed, verticaliydisposed channel fastening members welded to the rod structure outsidethe corners of the form to engage about the legs of said furniture,reinforcing inclined struts of short length secured between each saidfastening members and a portion of the metal rod structure but outsidethe trapezoid, said channel fastening members having spaced aperturesthrough which the legs can be secured to said fastening members, andsaid fastening members having sufficient length to provide verticalbearing contact with the said legs about which they are secured.

3. In rattan furniture construction, the improvement which comprises arigid main supporting frame about which the furniture is constructed,said rigid frame comprising metal rods arranged to define an essentiallyfoursided horizontally disposed form having two parallel sides and twoconvergingly related sides and extensions outwardly of the corners ofsaid form, and having vertically disposed metal channel fasteningmembers secured to said extensions outwardly of the corners of said formwhich engage about the legs of said furniture, said channel fasteningmembers having spaced apertures through which the legs are secured tosaid fastening members, said channel members closely fitting about thelegs and having vertical bearing contact therewith, and binding materialwrapped around at least said legs and the channel members fittingclosely thereabout.

4. In rattan furniture construction, the improvement which comprises arigid metal supporting frame about which the furniture is constructed,said rigid frame comprising a metal rod structure arranged to define afoursided horizontal form having a pair of spaced parallel sides and apair of spaced convergingly related sides and extensions outwardly ofthe four corners of said form, vertically disposed channel fasteningmembers of metal welded to said extensions outwardly of the cornersthereof to receive the legs of said furniture, and bracing struts eachhaving one of their ends secured to a respective one of said channelfastening members and its other end to said four-sided horizontal formso as to lie outside the area of said four-sided horizontal form, saidfurniture construction including wooden legs and said channel fasteningmembers closely fitting about said legs and having spaced aperturesthrough which the legs are secured to said fastening members, and rattanwrapped about at least said legs including the channel fastening membersclosely fitting thereabout.

5. In rattan furniture construction, the improvement which comprises afirst rigid main supporting frame about which the furniture isconstructed, said rigid frame comprising a rod structure arranged todefine a horizontal trapezoidal form the non-parallel sides of which areconvergingly related, vertically disposed channel fastening memberssecured to the outside of said rod structure at spaced locations aboutsaid form to receive the legs of said furniture, said channel fasteningmembers closely fitting about said legs and having spaced aperturesthrough which the legs are secured to said fastening members, rattanwrapped about at least said legs including the channel fastening membersclosely fitting thereabout, a second rigid frame comprising a rodstructure arranged to define a second horizontal form about which rattanmay be wrapped, said second frame being separable from said first frame,and inter-engageable means carried by the two frames whereby the twoframes may be releasably locked with the second frame resting over thefirst frame.

6. In rattan furniture construction, the improvement which comprises afirst rigid main supporting frame about which the furniture isconstructed, said rigid frame comprising a metal rod structure arrangedto define a horizontal form, vertically disposed channel fasteningmembers secured to the outside of said rod structure at spaced locationsabout said form to receive the legs of said furniture, said channelfastening members closely fitting about said legs and having spacedapertures through which the legs are secured to said fastening members,rattan wrapped about at least said legs including the channel fasteningmembers closely fitting thereabout, a second rigid frame comprising afurther rod structure arranged to define a horizontal form about whichrattan may be wrapped, said second frame being separable from said firstframe and connection means carried by the second frame including stopmeans and resilient catch means to engage with said rod structure onopposite sides of said first frame whereby the two frames may bereleasably locked with the second frame resting on the first frame.

7. In rattan furniture, the improvement which comprises a horizontallydisposed rigid main supporting frame about which the furniture isconstructed, said rigid frame including a first pair of generallyparallel spaced metal rods, a second pair of convergingly spaced metalrods, said second pair of metal rods extending between said first pairof rods and joined at their opposite ends to said first pair of rods atpoints spaced inwardly of the ends of said first pair of rods, andvertically disposed channel fastening members welded to the outer sidesof said first pair of rods adjacent the ends of said rods, said channelfastening members having spaced apertures through which the legs of saidfurniture may be secured to said fastening members.

8. In rattan furniture, the improvement which comprises a horizontallydisposed rigid main supporting frame about which the furniture isconstructed, said rigid frame including a first pair of parallel spacedmetal rods and a second pair of convergingly spaced metal rods, saidsecond pair of metal rods extending between said first pair of rods andjoined at their opposite ends to said first pair of rods at pointsspaced inwardly of the ends of said first pair of rods, verticallydisposed channel fastening members secured to the outer sides of saidfirst pair of rods adjacent the ends of said rods, said channelfastening members having spaced apertures through which the legs of saidfurniture may be secured to said fastening members, and short bracingstruts each having one end secured to a respective channel fasteningmember at a point below its securement to the first pair of rods, andhaving their opposite end secured to the supporting frame at a pointspaced from the channel fastening member but outside the four-sided formdefined by said two pairs of joined metal rods.

9. In rattan furniture, the improvement which comprises a pair ofhorizontally disposed rigid main supporting frames about which thefurniture is constructed, one of said rigid frames including a pair ofparallel spaced metal rods, a second pair of convergingly spaced metalrods, said second pair of metal rods extending between said first pairof rods and joined at their opposite ends to said first pair of rods atpoints spaced inwardly of the ends of said first pair of rods,vertically disposed channel fastening members welded to the outer sidesof said first pair of rods adjacent the ends of said rods, said channelfastening members having spaced apertures through which the legs of saidfurniture may be secured to said fastening members, and reinforcingstruts between a point low on each said fastening members and a point onthe supporting frame spaced from said fastening members, and the otherof said frames also being of metal rod construction and arranged todefine a form of a size and shape which will rest on said first frame,and means carried on two oppositely disposed sides of said second framefor releasable engagement with one of said pairs of metal rodsconstituting the main supporting frame, said means constituting the soleconnection between said two frames.

1 0. In rattan furniture, the improvement which comprises a pair ofhorizontally disposed rigid main supporting frames about which thefurniture is constructed, one of said rigid frames including a firstpair of parallel spaced metal rods, two further pairs of converginglyspaced metal rods, said further pairs of metal rods extending betweensaid first pair of rods and joined at their opposite ends to said firstpair of rods at points spaced inwardly of the ends of said first pair ofrods, the rods of each of said further pairs defining an elongated spaceor slot therebetween, vertically disposed channel fastening memberswelded to the outer sides of said first pair of rods adjacent the endsof said rods, said channel fastening members having spaced aperturesthrough which the legs of said furniture may be secured to saidfastening members, and reinforcing struts between a point low on eachsaid fastening members and a point on the supporting frame spaced fromsaid fastening members, the other of said frames also being of metal rodconstruction and arranged to define a form of a size and shape whichwill rest on said first frame, and having oppositely disposed catchmeans depending therefrom for releasable engagement within the slotsdefined by each of said further pairs of metal rods of the first frame.

11. In rattan furniture, the improvement which comprises a pair ofhorizontally disposed rigid main supporting frames about which thefurniture is constructed, the first of said rigid frames including apair of parallel spaced metal rods, a second pair of convergingly spacedmetal rods, said second pair of metal rods extending between said firstpair of rods and joined at their opposite ends to said first pair ofrods at points spaced inwardly of the ends of said first pair of rods,vertically disposed channel fastening members welded to the outer sidesof said first pair of rods adjacent the ends ofsaid rods, said channelfastening members having spaced apertures through which the legs of saidfurniture may be secured to said fastening members, and reinforcingstruts between a point low on each said fastening members and a point onthe supporting frame spaced from said fastening members, the second ofsaid frames also being of metal rod construction and arranged to definea form of a size and shape to rest on said first frame, depending meanscarried on two opposite sides of said other frame for engagement withcorresponding sides of the metal rods constituting the first frame, thedepending means on at least one side of said second frame being of aresilient character so as to obtain a frictional connection between thetwo frames which may be released at the will of the user.

12. In rattan furniture, the improvement which comprises a pair ofhorizontally disposed rigid main supporting frames about which thefurniture is constructed, the first of said rigid frames including apair of parallel spaced metal rods, a second pair of convergingly spacedmetal rods, said second pair of metal rods extending between said firstpair of rods and joined at their opposite ends to said first pair ofrods at points spaced inwardly of the ends of said first pair of rods,vertically disposed channel fastening members welded to the outer sidesof said first pair of rods adjacent the ends of said rods, said channelfastening members having spaced apertures through which the legs of saidfurniture may be secured to said fastening members, said second framealso being of metal rod construction and of a rectangular size and shapeto rest on said first frame, a pair of depending catch members on theforward side of said second frame and a depending abutment member on therearward side of said second frame, said abutment member including achannel to receive the rearward rod of the first frame, and the catchassess? 7 members on the forward side of the second frame being of aresilient character so as to releasably bear against the forward rod ofthe first frame when the second frame is properly positioned thereonwith the rearward rod of the first frame caught by the channel of thedepending abutment member.

13. In rattan furniture construction, the improvement which comprises ahorizontally disposed rigid main supporting frame about which thefurniture is constructed, said rigid frame comprising a thin, narrowmetal rod-like four-sided form having vertically disposed channelfastening members Welded to said frame adjacent the corners thereon buton the outside of said form to engage about the legs of said furniture,and inclined bracing struts References Cited in the file of this patentUNITED STATES PATENTS 458,808 Judd Sept. 1, 1891 1,758,045 Huyben May13, 1930 2,729,280 Adler Jan. 3, 1956 2,806,515 Burst Sept. 17, 19572,936,009 McGuire May 10, 1960

3. IN RATTAN FURNITURE CONSTRUCTION, THE IMPROVEMENT WHICH COMPRISES ARIGID MAIN SUPPORTING FRAME ABOUT WHICH THE FURNITURE IS CONSTRUCTED,SAID RIGID FRAME COMPRISING METAL RODS ARRANGED TO DEFINE AN ESSENTIALLYFOURSIDED HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED FORM HAVING TWO PARALLEL SIDES AND TWOCONVERGINGLY RELATED SIDES AND EXTENSIONS OUTWARDLY OF THE CORNERS OFSAID FORM, AND HAVING VERTICALLY DISPOSED METAL CHANNEL FASTENINGMEMBERS SECURED TO SAID EXTENSIONS OUTWARDLY OF THE CORNERS OF SAID FORMWHICH ENGAGE ABOUT THE LEGS OF SAID FURNITURE, SAID CHANNEL FASTENINGMEMBERS HAVING SPACED APERTURES THROUGH WHICH THE LEGS ARE SECURED TOSAID FASTENING MEMBERS, SAID CHANNEL MEMBERS CLOSELY FITTING ABOUT THELEGS AND HAVING VERTICAL BEARING CONTACT THEREWITH, AND BINDING MATERIALWRAPPED AROUND AT LEAST SAID LEGS AND THE CHANNEL MEMBERS FITTINGCLOSELY THEREABOUT.